Where did all the mechanics go?

There are a variety of classic Mercedes Benz cars still on the road today, ranging from the iconic 300 SL Gullwing Coupe to the luxurious W126 S-Class. Many of these cars are lovingly maintained by their owners, and they can be seen driving around town or at car shows. These vehicles are a testament to Mercedes Benz's dedication to producing timeless and reliable automobiles.
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[@allwinds3786]

I'm a brass musical instrument repair technician. I'm 63 years old and would love to share my skills. I only work 2 days a week and work on commission, I don't really need the money, I just love the work. The satisfaction of doing a job well and hearing the results is indescribable to someone who hasn't experienced it.

[@jdwxflyer]

My dad’s a woodwind repair tech from way back. He’s 81. He learned from the old guys in the USAF band. He’s told me many times that no one does this work anymore.

[@allwinds3786]

@@jdwxflyer part of the problem is parents think shiny new is better than a good old rebuild instrument.

[@WARTHUNDERPILOT21]

Pierre, I am following the same path that you did as a young mechanic. I'm a 23 year old mercedes benz dealer technician who also happens to be 'the go to guy' for anything older than a w210. I had very little mentorship as our shop foreman, who had been with the company for 48 years, retired before passing on much knowledge to me. I've slowly bought a few classic mercedes such as a r107, a couple w126's and a w110. My customers bring me their w180's, w108's, w113's, r107's, and w126's. The dealership is a terrible place to learn how to work on these old cars as the knowledge is no longer there and flat rate makes taking your time and learning it from the ground up impossible but yet I have persevered. Eventually in a few years after i have built my customer base up, I would love to go into business for myself, working on nothing but classic mercedes and other classic imports in the columbia, SC area.

[@MrRjnr]

great, very good plan!

[@therealvanilla]

That's badass dude. I just got out of the industry all the modern cars take so much more time and dedication to repair correctly and manufacturers keep cutting the hrs for flat rate jobs under warranty and such. Eventually it will all be hobbyists that are keeping them going. Our shop had a dude that had been there for about 40 years he did all the older ones for the team despite me learning most of MB products on my own 88 w126 that I rescued from a garage after sitting for 25+ years and a 68 280 that I swapped an old 350 chev into they wouldn't go for taking someone off the service line to even inspect the older cars coming in. I am positive when he retires in two years that particular dealer will cease operations on classic MB products.

[@seth556]

Pierre, this will sound weird but you’re a true millennial valuing younger mechanics who do it for the love of it

[@adelkheir]

I can tell you that the next generation of classic car mechanics are going to be DIYers like me. I swore never to take any car to a mechanic ever and I singlehandedly got my dad's '79 230 up and running after rebuilding the carb at least 5 times until I got it dialed just right, flushed the coolant at least 30 times until no rust was coming out, rebuilt the front calipers after they seized on me, replaced the rubber brake lines, rebuilt the power steering pump after it was leaking so badly I had to practically refill it every week, and replaced the clutch slave cylinder after it blew it's guts out. There's a whole laundry list of mechanical stuff that the car needs but I've been dailying that car for over 2 years now and put over 7000 miles on her.

[@Torpedo_Hans]

Same here, I also swore to not take my cars to any mechanic, everything that I can do myself I will do because I will at least know that the job was properly done and if something comes up that I cant do it myself, there are other more skilled DIYers in the car groups and communities that can help or do the job.

[@bahar9075]

Yep 24 year old who daily drive a w140 and I only trust myself to work on even if I made some mistake but after 2 years and 25000km its still on the road

[@Torpedo_Hans]

@@bahar9075 In todays age we can at least find most workshop manuals on the internet which is a huge advantage and makes it much easier for us DIYers

[@adelkheir]

@@Torpedo_Hans One of the greatest things that the internet gave was the ability to find information at will and that's what enabled DIYers the ability to fix things on their own, not just workshop manuals, but also community support and youtube instructionals since all one's doing is maintenance so there's is no real skill required to go into it.

[@liljawn826]

I'm 38 and Ive been a mechanic for about 15 years now. The lack of guidance in the shop for younger technicians is very real. It has a lot to do with the flat rate system, and a lot to do with the demand placed on technicians to be productive on flat rate or otherwise. Ive worked with a few really brilliant older technicians who would get salty when you asked them for advice on a particular job. Almost always because the service writer is breathing down their neck to get some job out and they just dont have the time. As a result, Ive now progressed into the prime of my career with very finely tuned skills when it comes to replacing brakes, struts, and water pumps. Bad engines and transmissions get the whole car sent to the crusher. I left the retail automotive game 8 years ago to work for a utility fleet that pays hourly, and doesn't harass you about time. Safety and quality of work is more important to them than quantity. This was a wise move. Now I drive these cars so I can play catch up on all the stuff I should have been exposed to in my more formative years.

[@sanman1188]

Pierre, as a healthcare professional that is about your age, I agree with you. The next generation of healthcare professionals don't know how to properly diagnose people. The same flat rate pressures happen in healthcare and do not encourage passing on knowledge. I have spent years training younger folks and see the knowlege gap every day.

[@user-qh6vt7dn1o]

As a retired triple-boarded MD, absolutely agree. I’ve tried to pass on skills, and even more importantly, the WORK ETHIC required. I retired when my younger associates kept trying to “work smarter, not harder” - a clear sign of decrement in patient care. Reaching the age when I’ll need healthcare, I’m really concerned- as is my RN wife.

[@jimk7882]

Pierrre, How about offering a paid workshop? If not then offer a pay for play video series on the different chassis?

[@s.m.mediaproductions5304]

I like that W124 behind you. I'd love to see more W124 content.

[@michaelperry952]

You are so right my friend. It is so hard to pay it forward,since the late 90’s have gotten one young man ready to pass boiler,pipe test. They are not willing to put in the time it takes to develop the skills. I truck tractor shop. 18 wheelers. My mentor is 83 years young, still goes to that shop every day. Love your channel! Thanks for helping me with my ride, my third running Benz legal to take out on the highway. My 1980 240D world wide taxi special 405000 showing odometer quit who knows when. Speedometer ten miles/hr slow. My daily drive. Love your content thanks for paying it forward man

[@Oldgunguy62]

Good Video I try to teach young kids every chance i get from welding to automotive repair. I have been working on cars for 50 years. The kids today got shortchanged

[@27_Evan]

Pierre, we connected through Instagram and you've helped me over the years while I was polishing up my skills working on classics and are part of the reason I no longer spend my days working at the dealer but rather wrenching on classic Mercedes. I now manage a collection of over 15 classics ranging from 90's models like the W140 and W201 all the way back to the Adenauer's and Fintails and everything in between. I spend my days constantly studying old manuals and schematics while also learning as I go by taking my time with these old cars. Not being flatrate and being paid fairly is why I am able to do this and I someday hope to take on an apprentice or two for the sole purpose of continuing the legacy of the skillset in order to keep these cars on the road, repaired the right way, no matter how long it takes. So thanks for the help over the years!

[@spacemonkey2829]

In my opinion, not only do the older guys refrain from sharing any instruction because they want all the business for themselves (and "don't have the time), but I also think they're rude as hell, hardened by life, and the younger guys don't like them at all. They're not cool......also, most of the younger guys are just looking for the easy buck and aren't interested in general. I graduated high school in 1999 and can honestly say that 99% of the guys in my class can't fix or build anything. They're lazy and useless. My dad was a mechanic and he was absolutely piss poor at explaining how things worked. Not good at teaching at all......that's why I'm so grateful for all these youtube videos.

[@jessesando8582]

I'm 25, a mechanic by trade and just picked up my first 107 a few months ago. While these aren't extremely complicated, boy it would be nice to have someone who knows the intricacies of the powertrain since they don't transfer well from old carb guys seeing how different they are. While I'll probably figure it out over the next few years of ownership, there's going to be a lot of service manuals involved.

[@azmike3572]

You'll find that the manuals are now on DVDs, and not expensive.

[@thisisnightshop2037]

I would learn everything I could about the 107 Great car and alot of fun to own

[@Licenciadopedro]

Dear Pierre. I have a Lada 2105 and there is this Lada mechanic who has worked with it for more than 30 years. He charges excessively expensive more than the Mercedes mechanic that works on my W111. He changed the staring motor of my Lada, but when I got home the staring engine didn't work. I took the car back to him, he got so angry, he insulted and shouted at me "I earn more money in less time changing shocks of a modern car than working on your piece of junk". He had worked on my late mother's Ford, on my dad's Corolla and on my son's Ford too. He was our family mechanic, he was really a nice guy.

[@thisisnightshop2037]

Sounds like he wasn’t having a good day

[@Licenciadopedro]

@@thisisnightshop2037 He not only lost several clients but an old friend

[@alkhashtee]

Lada shouldn't be very complicated, and you should learn how to DIY it.

[@phildavis4575]

The lack of engineers, engineering technicians and draftsman will be hit hard in the next few years, in our office of 10, 5 of us are retiring in the next 5 years. Very few young guys are replacing a generation of older guys, I get 5 calls a day from head hunters. Your point of knowledge transfer is real. I was trained by experienced guys willing to share what they know. I hope some experienced mechanics will take the time to train the next generation, or I will be forced to put an electric motor in my classic benz :).

[@realestateonkauai2013]

Hi, I am glad i found your channel, I own a 1990 560 SEL mercedes and the SLS pump is leaking fluid and i got a sealing kit from mercedes source, still have to get it fixed. Waiting for this friend to fix it. I also put in a brand new AC compressor and the Expansion valve needs to be replaced. I had green liquid drop down on on my foot gas peddle, so the expansion valve is above the gas peddle?? I did listen to your video for where the location is just checking. I love this video, because where are all the mechanics who can work on these cars??? BTW this car used to be owned by Kenny Rogers. If i can learn how to fix this car i could make money as a mechanic... GOD knows we need good ones. I am thinking of selling the car, not sure i will get the AC fixed. I think i would need to take the steering wheel off to get to the expansion valve.. i read a comment someone did that on a W126. Thanks for any info.

[@russellcollins5692]

As the times are a changing, having the ability to maintain cars from pre 2000 back will be fun and maybe a necessity. Nothing wrong with being self taught, you learn how to problem solve from the inside out, the best way! Learn to drop forge parts for strength, 3D print patterns for castings to reproduce those hard to find parts. Exciting Times Ahead for all.😊

[@jonstangerjazz9188]

Very true Pierre. Another aspect specific to classic Mercedes began with the transition to "plug & play" in the late 1990's, coupled with the meteoric change in technology. meteoric change in technology

[@classicrestouk]

Pierre, nothing happened to the mechanics. People like me, realised that classic car owners on the regular are hobby owners. In that they love to tinker on their own cars and don't value a good mechanic to do something they can potentially do at home, but don't have the tools. It doesn't take too many bad experiences with these owners for mechanics to turn their backs on resto work as the returns are diminished due to the time taken to carry out repairs. The other issue is waiting for parts!

[@brienmacgearailt7801]

My mechanic in HI is selling his shop, rent is killing him.

[@realestateonkauai2013]

Where in Hawaii is your mechanic? I am on Kauai and would love to know a mercedes mechanic!!! Rent is high here but people work out of their home which makes it so much affordable.

[@bradleygollihue4473]

@pierre theres just no money in classic cars right now. A young mechanic can work on classic cars and have fun or make triple the money in an industrial or dealer setting. Flat rate isnt necessarily the issue, its the sizeof the paycheck at the end of the week.

[@I_like_pears]

That was really interesting, especially the point about how things have changed since I was a kid in the 70s and nobody wanted a 40 year old daily driver to today where that is not uncommon. Let's hope we all live near a kid who wants to learn how to do the work that we cannot! 👍

[@danpicocfp6276]

Keep good going!

[@raygreeninfo]

Absolutely excellent advice as to passing along our knowledge to the younger generation they are out there and they do want to learn 42 years ago I made the choice to go into the construction building trades even though my original thought was to go into the automotive industry because that's where my experience was at the time during these past 42 years being involved in apprenticeship programs and admiring that this is the absolute best way to pass along the knowledge with an apprenticeship program the experienced journeyman who has the knowledge and is willing to teach is paid by the hour and not rushed with peace work and can take the time and opportunity to teach someone who is worthy of learning to trade

[@victorblock3421]

I am in my 60's and never had an interest in cars until my early 50's. I had sort of a fantasy of becoming a mechanic. The little work I did on my own cars was so satisfying that I could do it myself. Now I'm retiring in 6 weeks and now in my 60's. I don't think I'll do it now. I have heart issues and a few other things. Just not enough years.

[@thayalansuntharalingam]

Social media people know about older cars and information and maintance videos made people willingness to take on older cars.

[@ericlocastro220]

The best advice!

[@danielalmagro9649]

Magnifico video. Gracias PH

[@MrBobby3340]

Currently working on a 560sl pulled heater box to recondition… no one wants to do such a job!

[@deancooledge7895]

Well said!

[@gerranmolina7813]

I am coming into possession of a w123 1983 240d and it drives and doesn't have any issues. I really wanna learn how to maintain it and be able to daily drive confidently knowing that whatever comes I will work to get it back on the road again!

[@plissken94th57]

I think we should have a middle man or broker who is able to source genuine parts from some of these countries who still service these vehicles daily. One thing Facebook has taught me that in a lot of 3rd world or developing countries, they’re still running these babies well

[@headhunter88944]

Gold

[@paulgaida2601]

When I lived in Cairo there were many repair shops for all kinds of goods including all those W123’s. I visit often since then and see them around. I think there’s a culture of keeping things going. Possibly we could be losing some great potential new mechanics, I hope not!

[@paddydaddyo]

Wish I could find a good mechanic for my ‘84 300TD here in Greenville SC. I don’t trust that “just anyone” will do a proper job … 😕

[@thisisnightshop2037]

There is a guy in Columbia who commented on this thread

[@user-hm8wf8wv1m]

There is one good thing for old car guys. McPherson Collage in McPherson Kansas has a 4 yr degree in auto rebuilding. A number of their cars have been in the top few at Pebble Beach show. This needs to be passed on. When I go to other side they get my car collection. Of Benz cars have 13 of them. 108 115 116 123 129 202 and a L1116 truck. Yes I have a 1980 USA assembled short nose truck.

[@liljawn826]

I saw a rusted out heap of one of those trucks on Marketplace for scrap recently. I forgot they existed, and it brought back memories of my childhood in the early 90's seeing them occasionally. I remember that big star on the front. I'd love to own one now, but they seem to be unobtainium.

[@mchristr]

After 50 years of tinkering with cars--25 of those years at Mercedes-only shops or dealers--I could see this coming. Dealerships can't be bothered with 20+ year-old examples because the economics just don't work. And few independents will touch older stuff unless it's on a parts and labor basis. Is there room for a small cottage industry that caters to the vintage crowd?

[@pieterlouis100]

w124 230e 1991 102engine. Lower chamber pressure at 3.4bar. control pressure 7.4bar. Car runs , got it 2 weeks ago. What could cause such a low system pressure? Fuel pump works. Fuel Pressure Regulator replacement? Beautiful car, but someone screwed up the fuel system. Also seems like the EHA valve is on some sort of mechanical mode as it has no effect when unplugged. Any W124 forums you can point me to, would be much appreciated!

[@b67fstb21]

From Birthday on 1995 and younger , these kids have another world, the world of smartphones. They are not as mature as we were at that age. They are overprotected by us parents and only escape through that smartphone. They don't want to make their hands dirty cause you can earn alot of money by doing other things ..see youtube , facebook , instagram ect ect.

[@marthasmadman]

I grew up around mechanics and that’s all they talked about is how much time a job pays. I never liked the corporate mindset

[@123works]

Kids today prefer quick cash (sports betting) etc instead of learning a skill set

[@OneManOnFire]

I used the automotive diagnostic podcast in order to become a better skilled mechanic even if I'm only just doing it as a personal hobby. I feel that I have elevated my skills past nuts and bolts. I've also recommended listening to other mechanics on KZbin even if it's just opinions or rants on being a flat rate mechanics. Some advice I learned No Gate keeping You can bring a horse to water but you can't teach it to drink (modern scan tools) Be a master of the fundamentals. Don't just go to the advanced class and skip the beginners level. Training Do I understand how this system works? Do I have access to service information? (Google and KZbin don't count). Do I understand how my tools work? Multi meter, scope, test light, and diagrams.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I'm a tech,you nailed a lot of it. I had the skill, and the tech school brought the theory and professionalism. I finally got into generators after a few years out of school,best thing I ever did. It's good money , yes on some days you might not get your hands dirty but you're ripping your hair out studying wiring diagrams. Or you might be adjusting some points on an oldie (me last week) Then this morning I did a software update for a new unit. Gotta be well rounded. Stay humble ,never stop learning and think you know it all because you don't. Hah, even on some of these recall /warranty parts I change out I still scan the directions in the box every time ,you never know if they've changed or been updated. (That's what school taught me too,be humble and all that). I'm 51 now ,overall I think I've had a good time so far.

[@nehuge]

THE solution (short of not finding parts) is while we can have people record doing these repairs in DETAIL and put stuff on KZbin!!

[@googlebad3540]

Hello, i have om604 engine and on top of engine, in 1 injector bay diesel builds up fast, when engine working. reflow lines i changed, but it seems that fuel is coming around injector bottom. Can seals might be at fault? What should i do, thank you.

[@alaingillot4718]

Back in the early 70 s flat rate was 50% of the RO labor , so you where paid 50 % of the labor , the shop got the other 50 %. Try doing that today , at $ 180 today , you get $ 90 . Now if the flat rate for that job is 2 hours , and you do it in 1 hour , you got paid $ 180 . For 1 hour work , that is not bad . This is why today you wont find people to do that .

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

uhhhhhh, the rate at my last dealership was over 200 per hour 15 years ago. I got paid 22.50 and hour.. under warranty the flat rate pays you 4 hours for a job that takes 7. then have to deal with intermittent electrical problems that can take days to track down when you only get paid 1 hour. If you want to spend over 60k for tools and make around 40k a year and be treated like sht go ahead

[@WingspeedGarage]

And I thought Lemförder who made the original 😅

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

i have my own shop and it is what I use. it is original

[@MrRjnr]

@@narcissistinjurygiver2932 where are they made now?

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

@@MrRjnr if it is to spec then who cares?

[@strikeryachts]

This is how you do it. Search title here, Inside GTO Engineering, shows the problems.

[@MrBobby3340]

Dealership training on a 560SL….long gone! Dealers have little knowledge to repair. I do all my own work.

[@user-sd5wg1vg4e]

The car often deserves attention that its owner does not deserve. I tend to default on the side of the car. My pay suffers but my "carma" increases.

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

What is wrong with Lemforder? I use their motor mounts, control arm, and thrust arm bushings. NADA is the reason so many mechanics are leaving the trade. I have been a mb tech for 29 years and about to retire. Perhaps i will find a teen to teach. People want to learn. They do not want to work for a dealership and end up making just above min wage. imo NADA has formed a cartel to suppress our wages and this is why there is a mechanic shortage

[@doca8792]

This is why my independent Benz tech makes way more money than me and deservedly so, because for every 50 of me as a doctor, there’s 1 of him.

[@alkhashtee]

Good point.

[@aj_nichols]

Our generation was told to go to college and get a desk job. The trades and skilled crafts have always had a culture that that was bifurcated from any sort of intellectualism or class mobility within the commercial setting. Now, the youth feels alienated from accessible design and seems to desire tactile, analog, real world experiences in an increasingly digital society. The young kids want to control their reality and how they move through it. Some how, a design object like the w123 and a set of bendy 14mm wrenches is the price of admission into a world that is so radically different than the one that these youth were born into, that it looks like a portal into a universe they almost never knew existed.

[@nehuge]

How do people keep these muscle cars that just SWAMP the Barrett Jackson market going then??

[@doca8792]

Those aren’t as intricate as these old Benz cars, but yes, you have a good point.

[@caiusKeys]

Long time passing...

[@verdict1163]

Huge collections of NOS parts going in the trash? Say it ain't so!

[@timjones143]

I hope you are walking the talk?

[@BrianHYX]

I sent my w124 to a brilliant Albanian mechanic in maspeth Queens New York 😂 if anyone can fix a Mercedes it’d be an Albanian

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Are you looking for mechanics or technicians? I know both 😬

[@davidwell686]

Just another failure of our failed education industrial complex. since the early 1970's the push has been for everyone to go to college and shop class, trade schools have been closed. It's a disaster.

[@strikeryachts]

Flat Rate can still be quality.

[@MrBobby3340]

Immigrants will continue to eliminating this problem.

[@a_life_painted_with_color]

I don't know that I've actually received useful information and or instructions from Pierre here, just talk. I've emailed with questions before and heard nothing back, So this video is kinda lacking self-awareness. Idk, maybe my experience is purely anecdotal

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

Hello, @a_life_painted_with_color and thank YOU so much for your question(s), we want to answer you as quickly as possible. By signing in our Patreon www.patreon.com/thomaspolk page and making a donation of $10 your are assured of a 24 hour email response from Pierre. If you are already a $10 member please mention along with your question.